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MARIETTA, Pa., Oct. 22, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Donegal Group Inc. (Nasdaq:DGICA) (Nasdaq:DGICB) today reported that it had net income for the quarter ended September 30, 2010 of $4,909,879, or $.20 per share of Class A common stock on a diluted basis. Catastrophe and other weather-related losses impacted pre-tax results for the third quarter of 2010 by approximately $9.9 million after reinsurance, compared to $5.9 million for the third quarter of 2009. The catastrophe losses resulted from a number of wind and hail storms in the Company's Midwestern region. The Company reported net income of $6,744,851, or $.27 per share of Class A common stock on a diluted basis, for the third quarter of 2009.

Revenues for the third quarter of 2010 were $103,750,318, an increase of 9.3% over revenues for the third quarter of 2009, with net premiums earned of $94,948,843, an increase of 7.9% over net premiums earned for the year-earlier period. Net premiums written for the third quarter of 2010 were $101,905,860, representing an 8.8% increase over net premiums written for the third quarter of 2009, consisting of a 10.1% increase in commercial lines writings and an 8.4% increase in personal lines writings. Net premiums written for the third quarter of 2010 included $2.2 million in premiums assumed from Southern Mutual Insurance Company, which accounted for 2.3% of the overall increase.

The Company's combined ratio was 103.2% for the third quarter of 2010, reflecting the impact of the increased weather-related losses noted above as well as increases in fire losses and casualty claim severity compared to the third quarter of 2009.

The Company's expense ratio remained constant at 32.0% for the third quarters of 2010 and 2009, with both periods reflecting lower expenses incurred for underwriting-based incentive costs.

Net investment income was $4,709,458 for the third quarter of 2010, compared to $5,107,356 for the third quarter of 2009. The impact of lower fixed maturity investment yields offset investment income attributable to an increase in average invested assets compared to the year-earlier period. The Company had no impairments it considered to be other than temporary in its investment portfolio in the third quarters of 2010 or 2009. Net realized investment gains from the sale of securities were $2,460,462 for the third quarter of 2010, compared to $189,230 for the year-earlier period.

Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was $6,884,365, or $.28 per share of Class A common stock on a diluted basis, compared to $11,302,279, or $.45 per share of Class A common stock on a diluted basis, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The Company's combined ratio for the first nine months of 2010 was 105.2%, compared to a combined ratio of 102.2% for the comparable period in 2009. The Company's loss ratio was 73.0% for the first nine months of 2010, compared to 70.7% for the first nine months of 2009. The increase in 2010 compared to the year-earlier period primarily reflected increased fire and weather-related claim activity, partially offset by significantly improved prior accident year reserve development, in the first nine months of 2010.

The Company's total stockholders' equity, or book value, increased 7.7% to $394,775,506, a per common share amount of $15.46, at September 30, 2010, compared to $385,505,699, a per common share amount of $15.12, at December 31, 2009. The Company attributes this increase in book value primarily to $7.9 million of net after-tax unrealized gains in the fair value of its available-for-sale fixed maturity investments during the first nine months of 2010.

"We are pleased to report an increase in premium writings during the quarter and a significant improvement in our quarterly net income compared to the first two quarters of the year. While we see a number of positive trends, we are not satisfied with our 2010 underwriting results and are taking measures, including rate increases in various lines of business, to improve underwriting profitability in a number of our operating areas and product lines where we are not achieving our profit objectives. We are pleased with the progress related to our previously-announced agreement to acquire Michigan Insurance Company, and we expect to complete this acquisition during the fourth quarter of 2010," stated Donald H. Nikolaus, President and Chief Executive Officer of Donegal Group Inc.

On October 21, 2010, the Company's board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend payable November 15, 2010 of $.115 per share of Class A common stock and $.1025 per share of Class B common stock to stockholders of record as of the close of business on November 1, 2010.

The Company will hold a conference call and webcast on Friday, October 22, 2010, beginning at 11:00 A.M. Eastern Time. You may listen via the Internet by accessing the webcast link in the Investors area of the Company's web site at www.donegalgroup.com. A replay of the conference call will also be available via the Company's web site.

Donegal Group Inc. is an insurance holding company whose insurance subsidiaries offer personal and commercial property and casualty lines of insurance in four Mid-Atlantic states (Delaware, Maryland, New York and Pennsylvania), three New England states (Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont), seven Southeastern states (Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia) and six Midwestern states (Iowa, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Wisconsin).

The insurance subsidiaries of Donegal Group Inc. conduct business together with Donegal Mutual Insurance Company as the Donegal Insurance Group. The Donegal Insurance Group has an A.M. Best rating of A (Excellent) and has been ranked among the top 50 performing property-casualty insurance companies nationwide in each of the past six years by Ward Group, a Cincinnati-based operational consulting firm specializing in the insurance industry.

All statements contained in this press release that are not historic facts are based on current expectations. Such statements are forward-looking in nature (as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) and necessarily involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results could vary materially. The factors that could cause actual results to vary materially include, but are not limited to, the ability of the Company to maintain profitable operations, the adequacy of the Company's reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses, business and economic conditions in the areas in which the Company operates, conditions resulting from the ongoing recession in the United States, severe weather events, competition from various insurance and non-insurance businesses, terrorism, the availability and cost of reinsurance, legal and judicial developments, changes in regulatory requirements and the other risks that the Company describes from time to time in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company disclaims any obligation to update such statements or to announce publicly the results of any revisions that may be made to any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements.